Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast. Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly?

When you ask How are you?

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done

Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores running through your head?

You'd better slow down

Don't dance so fast. Time is short.

The music won't last.

Ever told your child, We'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste

Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time to call and say, "hi"

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast. Time is short.

The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift....

Thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower

Hear the music

Before the song is over.


*This poem was written by a terminally ill girl in a New York Hospital.

Combat That Hangover

Leading Causes of Hangovers

• Drinking more alcohol than your body can metabolize efficiently causes the toxins in the alcohol to build up in your body. A chemical known as acetaldehyde is an alcohol by-product and is responsible for the severe symptoms of a hangover.
• The ethanol found in alcohol has a dehydrating effect which is responsible for your raging headache, dry mouth and tiredness.
• Dark spirits such as red wine, brandy and whiskey contain more congeners (by-products of the process of alcohol fermentation) which increase the symptoms of a hangover. Cheaper spirits are also known to cause a worse hangover because fewer impurities have been removed.
• Body weight can be a key factor: A smaller body weight usually means a greater hangover.
• Mixing your drinks is a sure way to become inebriated and lead to a hangover. When you mix your drinks, for instance tequila and whiskey, you are actually mixing the different poisons of the alcohol together. More pressure is then placed on the liver to get rid of the toxins and cleanse the system by flushing them out...causing more dehydration.

To treat a hangover the natural way and cleanse and detox the body of toxins will serve to flush out the system, rejuvenate liver functioning and eliminate bloating.

Water is vital during this time as alcohol dehydrates the body. Migraine headaches from a hangover is also a key indication that you are dehydrated. Drinking water at room temperature will ensure the body to absorb quicker and rehydrate. Water is also an important vehicle to flush the poisonous alcohol toxins out the body, cleansing kidneys and liver. Vitamin C stimulates the liver to breakdown the alcohol. Start at 1,000mg per hr and watch for bowel tolerance as excess amount can lead to diarrhea which you want to avoid as your body needs to hydrate itself. B-vitamins aid in metabolizing carbohydrates (alcohol) and dilating blood vessels. Taking 50-75mg of B-Complex twice daily will also ensure the energy level is restored. Peppermint herb will cool and relax the intestines. As well as remove accumulated gas away from the stomach and intestines. Boil the herb and drink 1-2 cups. Ginger root is also a good agent in soothing and settling down the stomach from feelings of nausea. Take 500mg every few hours or boil root as a tea and drink. Eat a balanced diet comprised of whole grain carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, and protein even if you don't have an appetite. Your body needs the essential nutrients like fibre and antioxidants to protect and remove unwanted toxins.

Preventative Care

Before going out for drinks make sure your stomach is not empty. Some starchy foods like bread are best as they slow down the alcohol absorption.

Its always better to drink slowly because less amount of alcohol reaches the brain when consumed slowly.

Do not mix your alcohol. The lighter the shade of alcoholic beverage (ie. white wine over red wine) the lighter the hangover.

Drink water during and before going to bed to avoid dehydration.

Cheers to the New Year and always remember to drink responsibly*

"If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." - Albert Einstein

ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most frequently diagnosed childhood behavioural disorder. A child that suffers from ADHD is really hyperactive, struggles to focus and acts impulsively. Many children demonstrate this behaviours on occasion, while sufferers of ADHD behave this way continuously. Among children, boys are 3x's more likely than girls to be diagnosed. Parents are left feeling that they have failed at raising their children and desperate. They take their child(ren) to see their family doctor to explain these symptoms. Without treating the cause, they're focused on medicating those symptoms with prescribed drugs like Ritalin.

Ritalin has a structure similar to amphetamines and as such, has an amphetamine-like effect on the nervous system. Stimulants such as Ecstasy, Amphetamines, and Ritalin work by increasing amounts of dopamine in the Frontal Cortex, the area of the brain responsible for both focus (working memory) and reward (pleasure center). These compounds cause indirect stimulation by displacing dopamine from pre-synaptic vesicles. The result is either a massive rush of dopamine flow that can provide intense euphoria (MDMA, Ecstasy) or a more controlled release that assists working memory and attention span (Ritalin). However, due to the fact that the pleasure center of the brain is also located in the frontal cortex, the risk for addiction and potential for abuse is quite substantial. As such, Ritalin and Amphetamines are categorized as Schedule II Controlled Substances in the U.S. These medicines have the highest abuse and dependence potential for drugs with medicinal purposes. Other examples of Schedule II Controlled Substances include Morphine, Demerol, Speed, Opium, and Cocaine. Schedule I Controlled Substances are considered to be LSD and Heroin.

Here's what these children face after being put on Ritalin;

• if you take Ritalin as a teenager, you may not be hired to work in the US Government in a job that involves state secretes or national security. You can be elected but not hired


• According to the 2000 US Military Recruitment Manual, you may not join the Army, Airforce, Navy, or Marines if you are on Ritalin because you are a class II drug user. You must get a doctors note saying you've been off for 3yrs


• Insurance companies can turn you down for pre-existing condition of Attention Deficit or raise your rates as a schedule II drug user.

Natural Preventative Care

Aside from treating symptoms with Schedule II Controlled Substances, we can look at treating the causes. Watch this video for an idea. (right click on link, open new window)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzvIq8WISUo

"The fish only knows that it lives in the water, after it is already on the river bank. Without our awareness of another world out there, it would never occur to us to change."

The Art of Making A Goal

It's that time of year again where we consider making New Year's Resolutions. Statistics show that only about 15% of New Year's Resolutions are kept. Another Survey included asking respondents to identify the biggest issue that prevents them from achieving their New Year's Resolutions or goals. The top 3 reasons identified were 33% Procrastinating, 24% Lack of discipline and 19% No game plan. Interestingly enough, 10% of individuals felt the biggest issue that prevents them from achieving their New Year's Resolution or goals was doing it alone. These statistics are not listed to discourage you, however to reflect the importance of planning and achieving a positive outcome.

Goals are usually put in place to help us succeed. It gives a clear vision of where to go, why we should go there and what to expect along the way. Goals also involve change, and people are put off by change and associate it with discomfort (ie. Fitness goal when involving exercise/ dietary changes). We can keep motivated with our goals by asking ourselves some powerful questions like;

• "Why do you want this change?"
• "Are you ready for this change?"
• "Do you know what to expect?"
• "What are you prepared to do to get it?"
• "What would have to happen that might stop you from reaching this goal?"

With these questions, we can literally change our minds to do things differently. Change doesn't have to be difficult, it can be quick and lasting. The task is to focus on how we will be when we achieved our outcome, as this gives the unconscious mind a description of where it needs to take us. The nervous system is unable to differentiate between a real and imaginary experience. When we stop giving ourselves a hard time and shift our focus from what is wrong or missing, or what we don't want, to what we do want, we will begin to feel better. The unconscious mind will let go of negative patterns with dead end results, and adapt a new behaviour which matches our "new image". The stronger the connection between our desired outcome and our sense of self the more compelled we will be to achieve it, using questions like;

"How does this outcome relate to my sense of self?"

"What would happen if I got my outcome?"

"Will this outcome enhance my sense of who I am?"

Also, the more clearly thought out and distinctive our goals are, the more actively we will pursue them. An effective tool can be the S.M.A.R.T system:

SPECIFIC - State the goal so that the exact outcome is understood

MEASURABLE - State a goal where success can be measured

ACTION-ORIENTED- State a goal that promotes action towards accomplishment

TIMED - Set an appropriate deadline for meeting the goal

"Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal." - Pamela Vaull Starr

Prostate

The fact that prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Canadian men, and affects 1 in 6 men, and is a greater threat for those with a family history of the disease is alarming. With heredity factors, prostate cancer can also develop with dietary and environmental factors.

The anatomy of the prostate is divided into three internal zones: the peripheral zone, the transition zone and the central zone.

The peripheral zone is located in the back part of the prostate near the rectum. It contains the majority of the glands in the prostate and is the region where most prostate cancers develop. In younger men, the peripheral zone makes up over half of the prostate.

The transition zone, next to the urethra, is the zone that enlarges with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. Beginning around age 40, the transition zone begins to increase in size and eventually becomes the largest zone of the prostate.
The central zone is involved in the connection of seminal vesicles to the prostate and contains most of the rest of the organs glands.

The prostate has three functions. It produces fluid for semen, which helps move sperm during orgasm; it makes prostate specific antigen (PSA); and it controls urine flow.

Natural Preventative Care

Garlic: Men who eat more foods in the garlic family - especially garlic, scallions, leeks and onions - have significant reduction in the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Green Tea: The flavonoids, or polyphenols in green tea are very powerful anti-oxidants that help prevent cell damage. People who drink green tea regularly have less cancer, including prostate cancer.

Maitake mushroom: The maitake D-fraction was tested in a laboratory against hormone refractory prostate cancer (also known as androgen independent prostate cancer). When prostate cancer progresses to this stage, conventional therapy has been ineffective. There was almost complete cell death when the cancer cells were treated with maitake D-fraction.

Milk thistle: Although milk thistle is an important herb for the whole range of liver disease, it may also turn out to be an anti-cancer herb. Silibinin, a component of milk thistle, has been shown to be a strong fighter of prostate cancer cells in test tubes.

Soy: High levels of genestein, an important anti-cancer compound in soy, are associated with low incidence of prostate cancer. This isoflavone in particular, is a strong anti-oxidant that protects cells against damage and inhibit tumor growth.

Turmeric: Turmeric is not only a valuable anti-inflammatory. It also has shown potential value and promise against prostate cancer. This powerful anti-oxidant starves tumor growth and kills cancer cells without harming healthy noncancerous cells around them.

These are some herbs that can contribute to preventative care and maybe even treatment. Always consult a practitioner prior to taking herbs. Another preventative measure is to get the prostate checked annually. Also, with eating a healthy clean diet rich in mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, fibre and essential fatty acids (both omega-3 and omega-6) and protein. Exercises and stretching to relax and loosen the pelvic area is also helpful.

"The greatest wealth is health." -Virgil

Goji Berry

Goji berry (also known as Wolfberry) have been used for over 5000 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). More recently, Goji berry has come to the attention of the Western world, where it's earned recognition as a nutritional superfruit for its richness in anti-oxidants, fibre, protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements.

Packed with nutrients like dietary fibre and carbohydrates, the berries are one of the highest plant sources of protein, containing 19 amino acids essential to the human body. They also contain 4 essential minerals, 15 trace dietary minerals, and 3 main vitamins: vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene), vitamin B, and vitamin C and E ...and that's not all, the berries also contain polyunsaturated fats, such as linoleic (omega 6) and linolenic (omega 3) acids, and flavonoids. To put it all in perspective, the Goji berry contains as much protein as bee pollen, more beta-carotene than carrots, and amounts of vitamin C comparable to citrus fruits!

The following list's a breakdown of benefits for the included nutrients;

• Amino acids are easily used by the body to provide energy or to synthesize other molecules
• Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorus, and Sodium help to maintain healthy bones and teeth, balance body fluids, and support muscle and nerve function
• Trace minerals, including zinc, selenium, chromium, and iron, support immune, eye and thyroid function, have anti-oxidant properties, help to regulate growth, healing appetite and sugar metabolism, and assist with enzyme action
• Vitamin A supports healthy eyes and bones, and acts as an anti-oxidant. Goji berries are also one of the few foods rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, pigments which protect the retina by absorbing some of the blue light from the sun that may damage eye tissue
• The B vitamins increase metabolism rates, maintain healthy skin and muscle tone, enhance immune and nervous system function, and promote cell growth and division. Together they also help fight the symptoms and causes of stress, depression, and cardiovascular disease
• Vitamin C supports enzymatic and metabolic functions, and acts as an anti-oxidant
• Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids are two of the healthy fats, which actually help to reduce the total amount of fat in the blood, helping to prevent high cholesterol, blood pressure, and other cardiovascular diseases
• Flavonoids assist the body's anti-oxidant activity by protecting cell membranes. They also contain anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-microbial properties

All of these different nutrients work together to make Goji berries one of the most powerful anti-oxidant foods. Mother Nature created this whole food power house as a means for supplementing the natural way. You are able to find Goji berries and Goji berry juice at most health food stores.

“Today, more than 95% of all chronic disease is caused by food choice, toxic food ingredients, nutritional deficiencies and lack of physical exercise.” – Mike Adams

Fitness Fuel and Recovery

Proper nutrition is not just for professional athletes. The nutritional needs of active people that are committed to regular exercise and involved in a busy lifestyle, are also important. We know that the consumption of high-quality food help us perform better and regular exercise improves the body's ability to utilize the nutrients from these foods. Food provides fuel for exercise, as well as essential elements for growth, maintenance and repair of body tissues. Without the right type and amount of fuel, the body cannot perform at its peak. Meeting nutritional needs is a daily challenge as nutrition and physical conditioning go hand in hand.

People can vary in their abilities to tolerate food before exercise, so you will need to experiment with different foods and schedules. Food made up of carbohydrates feed the brain, maintain blood-glucose levels and fuel muscles that contribute to enhancing stamina and endurance. keeping hydrated with water is also of prime importance. People generally do not drink enough water because they usually rely on thirst to determine when and how much to drink. Thirst is not a good indicator, as thirst really indicates slight dehydration.

After a prolonged exercise the body is left depleted of fueled carbohydrate and/or dehydration, leaving you feeling fatigued. Some people argue that consuming carbohydrates immediately after exercise will ensure rapid recovery. Here are some helpful tips for enhancing recovery post-exercise;

Hydration - drink with the next workout in mind. Re-hydrating is a major part of post-exercise recovery.

Carbohydrates - the best tool for refuelling is carbohydrates. Its required to provide energy and refuel muscles and fluids which are most receptive to replacing depleted glycogen storage. It also helps your body begin rebuilding muscles quickly. We should consume carbohydrates before, during and after exercise to maintain performance and replenish exhausted energy reserves.

Protein - intense exercise and sports involve the breakdown of muscle tissue. Workouts that intensify can shock the body and lead to micro-tears in muscle tissue. Amino acids (the building blocks of protein) are key in repairing muscle tissue and advancing muscle development. Consider adding protein along with carbohydrates for nutrition recovery.

Antioxidants - taking an antioxidant supplement may help to destroy free radicals that cause inflammation to stressed muscles.

Also, remember to always stretch your body after exercise to avoid lactic acid build-up. When we truly understand the functions of our body during exercise and the roles the foods play supporting that function, we can easily keep motivated to achieve the fitness goals that we lay out for ourselves. Sharing your goals with friends and family is another way to maintain motivation for achievement.

"Persistence is to the character of man as carbon is to steel" - Napoleon Hill

#holidayclassic

This weekend I got to experience a holiday classic...roasted chestnuts! It was my very first time, well at least to my recollection. Delicious open roasted chestnuts served in little paper bags, YUM! The taste was a mix between roasted breadfruit and sweet potatoe..oh so perfect to enjoy on a brisk winter day.

The enjoyable treat had me curious of its nutritional facts, here's what I gathered; they're the only nuts that contain a significant dose of vitamin C (up to 1.7mg), low in fat and contain no cholesterol making them great snacks. They also contain trace minerals like manganese, potassium, copper, phosphorus, magnesium and iron.

Like other nuts chestnuts help prevent heart risk and provides energy. They can be prepared by boiling, roasting or soaking them in wine like they do in Italy..who knew. So t'is the season for truly enjoying a #holidayclassic.

In Joy!